Bell Gardens, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

Bell Gardens is a mid-size city in California with a population of 38,661. Residents earn $55,372 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

1.8 /5.0
D Poor
38,661 Population 15,716/sq mi density
$55,372 Median Income $18,596 per capita
$527,900 Home Value $685,336 Zillow
$1,658 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
251 Violent Crime/100K 1,648 property/100K
D
Overall
1.8 / 5.0
Poor overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$55,372 median income, 3.6% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.3 / 5.0
$527,900 home value, $1,658/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
251 violent crimes/100K (34% below avg)
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
6.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,372
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $527,900
87% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 251/100K
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.9%
80% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,658
43% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.8%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.0%
53% higher than US avg

How Bell Gardens Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population38,661
Median Age32.0 yrs
Density15,716/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 27%

Economy

B
Median Income$55,372
Per Capita$18,596
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty19.0%
County GDP$1,002,965M
Commute28 min

Housing

F
Home Value$527,900
Rent$1,658
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$685,336

Crime

F
Violent251/100K
Property1,648/100K
Murder4.6/100K
Assault135/100K
Burglary248/100K

Health

Obesity34.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.1%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain12.0 in/yr
Elevation121 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.9%
High School+52.9%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 32% / D 65%
Commute28 min
Libraries258

Is Bell Gardens a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bell Gardens receives an overall livability score of 1.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of D. Key strengths include low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Bell Gardens faces significant challenges across several quality-of-life categories.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372, 26% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bell Gardens is $527,900, making it a premium housing market at 87% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,658 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Bell Gardens is below the national average at 251 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,648 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

6.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 52.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Bell Gardens enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Bell Gardens has a population of 38,661 with a density of 15,716 people per square mile. The median age is 32.0 years, 18% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (27.4%), with 3.5% Hispanic, 1.4% Black.

Population

38,661
Total Population
15,716
People / sq mi
32.0yrs
Median Age
18% below US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Bell Gardens vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only9.2%
88% below US avg
Spanish90.8%
578% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bell Gardens vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bell Gardens is $55,372, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 19.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Bell Gardens vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,372
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$18,596
Avg Weekly Wage$1,607
IRS Avg AGI$97,528

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate19.0%
53% above US avg
Establishments (County)572,385
County GDP$1,002,965M

Business (County)

Restaurants24,882
Healthcare37,635
Retail29,130
Manufacturing10,448

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.4 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Bell Gardens is $527,900, 87% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,658 (43% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $685,336.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$527,900
87% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$685,336
Median List Price$749,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$749,000
$/Sq Ft$397
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio99.1%
Price Drops27.3%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,658
43% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,619

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied21.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,469
199% above US avg
Effective Rate1.98%
In Bell Gardens, 34.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.1% report depression. 41.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bell Gardens vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.8%
8% above US avg
Diabetes17.4%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma9.4%
COPD6.3%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.3%
Physical Inactivity41.7%
Depression20.1%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress20.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.2%
Checkup Rate67.6%
Premature Death6,746/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access98.0%
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Bell Gardens has a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, 34% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,648 per 100,000 (16% below US avg). The murder rate is 4.6 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bell Gardens vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent250.6/100K
34% below US avg
Murder4.6/100K
26% below US avg
Rape16.3/100K
Robbery95.2/100K
Assault134.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,647.8/100K
16% below US avg
Burglary248.3/100K
Theft772.8/100K
Vehicle Theft626.6/100K
Arson9.3/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disasters1,001

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bell Gardens has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 12.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average64.9°F
20% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall12.0 inches
68% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation121 ft (37 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density15,716/sq mi
Coordinates33.9644°N, 118.1544°W
County FIPS06037
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 6.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 32.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 31.9%
D 64.8%

Winner: Democrat by 32.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.9%
80% below US avg
High School+52.9%
School Test Score4.69
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density15,716/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries258
Healthcare Facilities37,635
Restaurants24,882
Retail Stores29,130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)817
FEMA Disaster Declarations1,001
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.4 min
Work from Home6.2%

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